Effect of metal triflates on the microwave-assisted catalytic hydrogenolysis of birch wood lignin to monophenolic compounds

The lignin-first biorefinery strategy could produce bio-based phenols from the extraction and depolymerization of native lignin in lignocellulosic biomass. Herein, we report an effective Lewis acid-promoted delignification production monophenolic compounds birch sawdust assisted by microwave heating without external hydrogen for first time. screening different metal triflates revealed that Fe(OTf)3 was best sawdust. Without addition a acid, yield 10.5 wt% (based on content sawdust), while it increased significantly to 32.9 with (0.0276 g) under identical conditions (190 °C, 1 h), which demonstrated catalytic COC bond scission promoted Fe(OTf)3. Simultaneously, degree also rose sharply 32.6 47.5 wt%. This work efficient Fe(OTf)3-induced obtain high heating, representing novel advance “lignin-first” field.